Super Bowl LVIII (58)

Sunday February 11, 2024

49’ers vs. Chiefs in Las Vegas, 6:30 p.m. ET

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook:

Here is my all time Rams Super Bowl team, consisting of players who played in the Rams’ 5 appearances). This is based on performance in the Super Bowl seasons, as opposed to their careers as a whole.

QB Kurt Warner (99)
RB Marshall Faulk (99)
FB Cullen Bryant (79)
WR Isaac Bruce (99)
WR Torry Holt (01)
WR Cooper Kupp (21)
TE Roland Williams (99)
OT Orlando Pace (01)
OT Jackie Slater (79)
OG Adam Timmerman (01)
OG Dennis Harrah (79)
C Rich Saul (79)

DE Jack Youngblood (79)
DT Aaron Donald (18)
DT Larry Brooks (79)
DE Kevin Carter (99)
LB London Fletcher (01)
LB Von Miller (21)
LB Jim Youngblood (79)
CB Aeneas Williams (01)
CB Todd Lyght (99)
S Nolan Cromwell (79)
S John Johnson (18)

K Greg Zuerlein (18)
P Johnny Hekker (18)

It's a real problem for me. Superbowl 34 was so unexpected and exciting! What a magical season! My mom was still around then and was the main reason why I was a Rams fan, she loved Deacon Jones. We celebrated so hard!

But then 56 happened, the Los Angeles Rams (moms favorite team) won the Superbowl in LA!! In their own world class stadium. It was another magical season!

They are both my children and I love them forever.

"Now if I was head coach at USC, I never would have left UCLA for a demotion" ~ Chip

If I am seeing this correctly, only Kyren Williams and Zach Evans are under contract for 2024... So, the Rams need to add some running backs.

I assume we might toss a draft pick at the position in the mid/later rounds, perhaps an UDFA, plus a more established low-tier FA... sort of like Freeman was in 2023.

Thoughts?

Add Running Back to the positions that need some resources this offseason. We fall off a cliff after Kyren and I'm not convinced Zach Evans is anything special. He certainly hasn't stood out with his opportunities.

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Getting some love from Greenie...

I’m getting in a full week of solid exercise as I prepare to let myself go and loosen a few belt notches for Super Bowl Sunday. I’ll have a selection of IPAs in the fridge along with some Buffalo Ranch Chicken dip and crab cakes.

I need some inspiration for other dishes to make, what are y’all making?

Patrick Mahomes mentions Matthew Stafford as a QB he loved watching growing up​

Matthew Stafford may not be considered one of the all-time great quarterbacks or a first-ballot Hall of Famer like some other players are, but he’s someone his peers love watching – Patrick Mahomes among them.

During his press conference on Tuesday, Mahomes was asked which quarterbacks he enjoyed watching while he was growing up. Though Mahomes was primarily a baseball fan, he named four passers he loved: Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Stafford and Tony Romo.

It’s hardly surprising that he liked watching Stafford when you consider how often Mahomes throws sidearm and no-look passes the way Stafford does, but it’s still awesome to hear Mahomes mention the veteran quarterback’s name in that group.

“If there was one quarterback, I would probably say I loved watching Aaron Rodgers, I liked watching Brett Favre, I liked watching Matthew Stafford – guys that were kind of extending plays, making plays happen. I liked watching Tony Romo a ton, growing up in that East Texas area,” he said.

Mahomes gets a ton of credit for his creativity and off-platform throws, but it was Stafford pulling those off first.





I think every announcer to cover a Chiefs, game, in the future, needs to read this first.

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OUCH!

The rest of the clip is out there and it's not a ton better after it cuts!

Kupp, Nacua, Atwell, Robinson, Johnson, and Skow feels good if everyone is healthy.

But we need solid depth and someone that is a stud, IMO… I’d like something premium added at WR... Draft or FA.

It’s an offense driven league. We have the BEST offense minded Head Coach!

LOAD UP BABY!

What do you think?

Enjoy.

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As one who has been a Rams follower for a bit over 50 years now... I am totally impressed with this team philosophy of management and outreach.

From the top down, they seem like a quality, caring, people aware organization - and this video does nothing to change that perspective.

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To say that a different way - I'm not a fan because of things like this video - however it is absolutely fantastic that the organization has taken this approach. (Some of remember previous iterations of management).

Credit where it is due. Thank you Mr. Kroenke.

What plan do you favor?

I can't really believe it. I was a fan of his music and his style. He's so young and was only two years older than me.

Eagles to play in the first-ever Brazil game in Week 1 of 2024, marking the first NFL Friday game since 1970​

The NFL is heading to Brazil. For the first time in league history, a game will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, at Corinthians Arena. The game will be on Friday night of Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, on Sept. 6, 2024.

The Philadelphia Eagles will be the home team for the game. The away team has not yet been announced and will be revealed ahead of the season.

"This landmark first international game in South America demonstrates the ongoing expansion of our global footprint," Goodell said in a press release. "Playing on Friday night of Week 1 is a unique way to highlight our international growth and ambitions."

Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles chairman and chief executive officer, said the team is "honored" to be chosen in the historic game.

"With the global growth of our sport being a top priority to our league, we embrace the opportunity to grow our fanbase around the world and bring Eagles football to the 38 million sports fans in Brazil. As one of the world's most culturally diverse nations, Brazil is an international melting pot, and we look forward to experiencing its warm, vibrant and welcoming environment later this year," Lurie said.

Ricardo Nunes, mayor of São Paulo, said, "The league's decision to play the game in the first week of the NFL 2024 season is a true testament to their confidence in our work as host city."

Nunes continued, saying, "Having this historic spectacle on the eve of Independence Day and driving a great economic impact and job creation for São Paulo, will spotlight our city as a globally relevant destination for the world's most exciting sport and entertainment events."

This marks the first game played on a Friday night of Week 1 in more than 50 years. The last game played on a Friday night during opening week was Cardinals at Rams on Sept. 18, 1970.

The NFL has increased their international presence as of recently, and the expansion to Brazil is another way for the league to expand their fanbase. The Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars will all play games in London next season, while the Carolina Panthers will play a game in Munich.

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SoFi Stadium to install retractable corner seats this spring, increasing field size for soccer​

the end is near boys , for college football as we know it , or knew it


as the Big Ten and the SEC are joining up

it's just a matter of time before they separate from the NCAA and form their own super conference

I think most know the way college football operates now with NIL is not sustainable

my prediction , or better yet , my guess............

as of now , the Big 12 is still on solid ground , but the ACC is on the verge of collapse and the Pac 12 already dead and buried

so if I had to guess , the Big Ten and the SEC will get to pick and chose who they want from the ACC , and the Big 12 will get some of the stragglers , and a few of the remaining ACC schools going the way of Oregon State and Washingtons State

I'm not sure what the final product will look like , but I'm guessing the top 60-80 college football teams will break away from the NCAA and form their own league

the the Big Ten , Big 12 and the SEC will form some sort of a Super Conference

Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC

UCLA , USC ,Washington , Oregon joining the Big Ten

it's just the beginning

Florida St taking the ACC and ESPN to court

Tennessee and Virginia are suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association over its rules restricting compensation for student athletes

SUNDAY PRO BOWL GAMES CHAMPIONSHIP:

The Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon culminates on Sunday with more skills and an epic flag football game! Hosted at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, February 4, fans can witness their favorite players from the NFC and AFC compete LIVE for the title of Pro Bowl Champions.

Date: Sunday, February 4, 2024
Time: 3pm – 6pm ET
Gates open at 12pm ET
Location: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL
Watch On: ESPN, ABC, DISNEY XD, ESPN+, ESPN DEPORTES and NFL+

OFF THE BOARD FOR CERTAIN (6)

Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Marvin Harrison, WR, OSU
Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State

PRETTY GOOD CHANCE TO BE OFF THE BOARD (5)

Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Taliese Fugaga, OT, Oregon State

PROBABLY WON’T MAKE IT TO #19 (6-7)
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan (just wait until he works out)
Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama or Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (maybe both)
Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA


Pre-Combine Draft Board for Rams at #19

Top Five Players with those 18 players off the board

1. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
2. Jackson Powers-Johnson, C/G, Oregon
3. JerZhan Newton, DT, Illinois (still like him better than Murphy II)
4. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
5. Troy Fautanu, OT, Oregon State

Top Five Including Players in the "Probably Won’t Make It to #19" Section

1. Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA
2. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
3a. Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
3b. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
3c. Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

I think this is best here in the draft section.

Significantly fewer underclassmen are now declaring for the NFL Draft. I'm reading an article in the Ringer that touches on the topic and cites NIL and the transfer portal for the reasons more players are staying in college longer.

But the author suggests this waters-down later rounds.. and I think that's misguided.

I think we're seeing more players who are more prepared to enter the draft as a result.

What do you guys think?

Well, y'all are having so much fun, so I figure I'll dive in. I've been really busy with work (and will remain quite busy over the next couple months), so I haven't had a lot of time to do a deep dive on players just yet. But I'll do my best here.
Release
OT Joe Noteboom (post June 1)
OL Brian Allen

Nothing surprising here.

Re-sign
OL Kevin Dotson
S Jordan Fuller
OT Alaric Jackson (First Round Tender)
DL Michael Hoecht (ROFR)
DL Jonah Williams (ROFR)
WR Austin Trammel (ERFA)
HB Ronnie Rivers (ERFA)

I think we need to bring back Dotson. I'd re-sign Fuller too. I don't think he'll break the bank. He's a solid glue guy in the secondary.

Free Agency

Bryce Huff EDGE Jets

I think most of the top guys will get franchised. I agree with Memphis that Bryce Huff would be a great addition. He's a highly productive edge rusher who gives off Shaq Barrett vibes to me. Has looked great in a rotational role. I think he'll flourish if given an opportunity to start. He has shortcomings as a run defender, but he'll bring the pass rushing we need on the edge.

Cody Barton ILB Commodes

I think Barton is a solid bargain signing. Outside of the one year with Bobby Wagner, that ILB spot next to Ernest Jones has plagued us for awhile. Barton isn't an elite player. But he's a solid guy who will also bring it on special teams.

David Edwards OL Bills

After spending the year in Buffalo as depth, I don't see David Edwards costing much to return. I'm bringing in him as a depth option, not a starter. His ability to play either OG spot and RT (maybe even LT in a pinch) makes him a useful backup. OL depth is important.

Trade
Rams trade Round 1 Pick #19, Round 2 Pick #19, and Round 6 Pick #40 (TVC = 1269.2)
Cardinals trade Round 1 Pick #27, Round 2 Pick #3, and Round 5 Pick #3 (TVC = 1267.5)

Cardinals trade up for a defensive player they were targeting. We're content to move down to better situate ourselves to land the two guys we're targeting early in the Draft.

Rams trade Round 3 Pick #19, Round 3 Pick #36, Round 5 Pick #20, and Round 6 Pick #39 (TVC = 309.4)
Chiefs trade Round 2 Pick #32 and Round 4 Pick #32 (TVC = 309.5)

Rams move up to ensure they don't lose out on the player they're targeting.

NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #27 - Ennis Rakestraw CB Missouri
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Round 2 Pick #3 - Jackson Powers-Johnson OL Oregon
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Round 2 Pick #32 - Spencer Rattler QB South Carolina
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Round 4 Pick #32 - Ben Sinnott TE Kansas State
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Round 5 Pick #3 - Sione Vaki HB/DB Utah
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Round 5 Pick #19 - Ainias Smith WR/RS Texas A&M
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Round 5 Pick #43 - Will Reichard K Alabama
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Round 6 Pick #13 - M.J. Devonshire CB Pittsburgh
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Round 6 Pick #34 - J.D. Bertrand ILB Notre Dame
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Round 7 Pick #19 - Julian Pearl OT Illinois

Draft Analysis: Rakestraw is a long, physical, and talented cover CB who fits quite well in our scheme. He is a quicker than fast CB who excels in off man and zone coverage. Powers-Johnson is similar to the Avila pick from last year. He's a massive man who will be another anchor in the middle. We need to keep Stafford healthy and the running game rolling I moved up for Rattler because I think he could be the QB of the future. Rifle for an arm, good scrambling ability, able to improvise, and a guy who has improved leaps and bounds as he has matured despite his team around him lacking this year. With Higbee out, I wanted to get TE insurance. Sinnott is a TE/FB hybrid who runs like a bull with the ball after the catch.

Sione Vaki is a NFL prospect at both HB and DB. I'm drafting him to play HB, as I was highly impressed with his vision, explosiveness, power, and receiving skills. The best part of this kid is that he'll bring it on special teams as he develops as a HB. Ainias Smith is both a top-notch punt returner and a dangerous WR. Lethal with the ball in his hands in space. I took Reichard because I felt a team would reach on Karty. Reichard demonstrated 60+ yard range at the Senior Bowl this week and has gotten better and better throughout his college career. He had a really good senior season. Devonshire has long arms, explosive burst, and quick feet. He's also shown the ability to make plays on the football. Undersized but a good boom/bust pick here. Bertrand is a instinctive ILB with better football skills than physical traits. Pearl is a developmental OT. Has the size, length, movement skills, and mean streak (former DT). Needs a lot of polishing.

Starters
QB: Matthew Stafford
HB: Kyren Williams
WR: Cooper Kupp
WR: Puka Nacua
WR: Tutu Atwell
TE: Davis Allen (I expect Higbee misses part of the season)
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Steve Avila
C: Jackson Powers-Johnson
RG: Kevin Dotson
RT: Rob Havenstein

DL: Kobie Turner
DL: Bobby Brown III
DL: Aaron Donald
OLB: Bryce Huff
ILB: Ernest Jones
ILB: Cody Barton
OLB: Byron Young
CB: Ennis Rakestraw
CB: Derion Kendrick v. Cobie Durant
SLCB: Quentin Lake v. Tre Hodges-Tomlinson
LS: Jordan Fuller
RS: Russ Yeast

K: Will Reichard
P: Ethan Evans
LS: Alex Ward
RS: Ainias Smith

Surprised this isn't a thread yet. Wtf are we doing at 19???

Our first 1st round pick in 8 years.

WR??
CB?
OLB?
OL?
BPA?

I'd be nope nope noping the fuck outta there pronto

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